Appendix A South Carolina Honors Framework Implementation Guide - Webs

South Carolina Honors FrameworkI. Course Content1. How has the course content been adapted for advanced learners?Is there evidence of learning and enrichment opportunities that extend beyond the CPcoursework and is aligned to the South Carolina state standards? The honors level curriculumshould indicate depth in rigor, complexity, challenges, and creativity as outlined in the Profileof the South Carolina Graduate.2. How does the honors level curriculum extend personalized student learning and allow for anenvironment in which students are self-directed and take ownership of their learning?Is there evidence that extensions and enrichment are aligned with the Profile of the SouthCarolina Graduate, South Carolina state standards, and any appropriate advancedcoursework?3. Is there Honors Level Course Content Evidence?Evidence for the Honors Level Course includes: Rationale for course development. Alignment of standards and objectives (development of standards if necessary). Course Outline and Plan. Student work, interest surveys, and data (trend, longitudinal, SLO, etc.).ADMINISTRATION USE ONLY: COURSE CONTENT1. ADAPTED AND DIFFENTIATED2. ALIGNMENT TO SOUTH CAROLINA STATE STANDARDS3. EVIDENCE OF EXTENTIONS AND ENRICHMENTSouth Carolina Honors Framework Implementation GuideApril 3, 2017Page 7METNOT MET

II. Instructional Methods and Materials1. What instructional methods and materials will be used?Is there evidence of appropriate differentiation in instructional practices for advancedlearners? Differentiated instructional strategies that enhance the delivery of instructionwhile strengthening the components outlined in the Profile of the South CarolinaGraduate may include, but not limited to: Varied texts and supplemental materials, Technology to enhance instruction, Adaptive digital content, Targeted differentiated small group/individualized instruction, Group investigation, Personalized learning plans, Curriculum Compacting, Scaffolded tasks, Independent learning contracts, Higher level questioning and answering, and Student-initiated project design.Differentiation resulting in complexity beyond the CP level course may include, but isnot limited to: Student-initiated research, Student collaboration and engagement, Project-based learning, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Seminar methods to include the incorporation of writing, Connections to world-class skills, characteristics, and context, and Creativity and innovation.2. Honors Level Course Instructional Methods & Materials Evidence: Rationale for instructional methods and materialsInstructional materials and methodsSample units, lessons, and assignments Student work samples Anecdotal dataSouth Carolina Honors Framework Implementation GuideApril 3, 2017Page 8

ADMINISTRATION USE ONLY: INSTRUCTIONALMETHODS AND MATERIALSMETNOT MET1. ACCEPTABLE METHODS AND MATERIALS2. HONORS LEVEL COURSE EVIDENCEIII. Assessment1. How is the Honors Level Course Assessed?Is there evidence that valid assessments are used throughout the course and arealigned to the honors level curriculum? Pre-assessments along with formative andsummative assessments will be used to modify and enhance learning.2. Honors Level Course Assessment Evidence: Rationale for assessment practices;Assessment tools (rubrics and/or scoring guides and formative and summative assessmentswhen applicable);Assessment samples (pre-assessment, description of formative assessment, andsummative assessment when applicable); andStudent self- and peer-assessments.ADMINISTRATION USE ONLY: ASSESSMENT1. HONORS ASSESSMENTS (ALIGNED TO HONORSCURRICULUM)2. HONORS LEVEL COURSE EVIDENCESouth Carolina Honors Framework Implementation GuideApril 3, 2017Page 9METNOT MET

South Carolina Honors Level Course ChecklistMUST INCLUDE:INCLUDEDTEACHER NAMECOURSE TITLECOURSE DESCRIPTIONDOCUMENTATION OF LOCAL APPROVAL(SIGNATURES)Course Content EvidenceMUST INCLUDE:RATIONALE FOR COURSE DEVELOPMENTALIGNMENT TO SOUTH CAROLINA STATESTANDARDS (COMPILATION OF STANDARDS IFNECESSARY)CURRICULUM GUIDE (PACING, SYLLABUS, ANDSCOPE AND SEQUENCE)STUDENT WORK AND DATAINCLUDEDInstructional Methods and Materials Evidence MUSTINCLUDE:RATIONALE FOR METHODS AND MATERIALSINSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND METHODSSAMPLE UNITS OF STUDY, LESSONS, ANDASSIGNMENTSSTUDENT WORK SAMPLESANECTDOTAL DATAINCLUDEDAssessment EvidenceMUST INCLUDE:RATIONALE FOR ASSESSMENT PRACTICESASSESSMENT TOOLSASSESSMENT SAMPLES (PRE-ASSESSMENT,FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT, AND SUMMATIVEASSESSMENT)INCLUDEDSouth Carolina Honors Framework Implementation GuideApril 3, 2017Page 10

REQUIRED SIGNATURE/TITLEI.II.III.IV.South Carolina Honors Framework Implementation GuideApril 3, 2017Page 11

Content Area Instruction GuidesThe purpose of this document is to guide teachers as they prepare to successfully teach advancedlearners at the honors level. Content area teachers will need to develop honors courses based onthe South Carolina state standards. The curriculum, methods, and assessments should indicatedepth of rigor, complexity, challenges, and creativity beyond the CP level course.The material included in each of the content areas should be used as the basic componentsrequired in the developmental process. The South Carolina state standards must be used as theframework and teachers should build upon these to insure that the integrity of the honors levelexpectation is maintained.The following outlines frameworks for these subject areas: Career and Technology Education,English / Language Arts Education,Mathematics Education,Science Education,Social Studies Education, andVisual and Performing Arts Education.South Carolina Honors Framework Implementation GuideApril 3, 2017Page 12

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATIONI. Course Content1. How has the course content been adapted for advanced learners?There is evidence of learning and enrichment opportunities that extend beyond the standardcoursework and is aligned to the South Carolina State Standards in Career and TechnicalEducation (CATE) CP level courses. Depth in rigor, complexity, challenges and creativitybeyond the CP level course is required in the honors level course content.2. How does the honors level course content support the expectations of the Profile of the SouthCarolina Graduate?There is evidence of learning and enrichment opportunities which are aligned with theProfile of the South Carolina Graduate and South Carolina State Standards for Career andTechnical Education.3. Honors Level Course Application Evidence must include:A. Course Content RationaleCourse must include: An explanation of the course content extensions, expanded topics, and skill-relatedobjectives selected for the course as it relates to the South Carolina CATE Standardsand the Profile of the SC Graduate. Teacher’s plans and expectations for student autonomy with topic selection and work. Evidence of vertical alignment to post-secondary and/or industry recognized. Standards and credentials (when applicable). Evidence that it is project-based.B. Standards and objectives – How will South Carolina’s required standards and objectivesbe taught beyond the CP level for advanced learners?Course must include:Standards and objectives must provide greater depth of knowledge and skills to ensurethe extension of state standards. The following are examples of acceptable evidence: Student demonstration of higher order thinking skills and creativity. Use of Industry Recognized Certification guidelines. Objectives that would serve as pre-requisites for post-secondary academicopportunities that do not come from the course progression.South Carolina Honors Framework Implementation GuideApril 3, 2017Page 13

C. Course Outline and Curriculum Plan: The course outline and curriculum plan serve asevidence that the course work is aligned to South Carolina state standards and extendslearning opportunities for the advanced learner.Course must include: A course syllabus that outlines outcomes, assignments, and grading practices. Pacing, scope and sequence, and/or curriculum plans that illustrate how the courseexceeds the outcomes of the CP level course. Evidence that relates to a career cluster sequence that is aligned to certificationoptions and pathway completion. A course description and detailed information indicating how the course extends theexpectations of CP level coursework. Rationale for the development of the course.II. Instructional Materials and Methods1. How is the honors level course taught? Through differentiation of the delivery of instruction.Through diverse teaching strategies to insure complexity which may include, but are notlimited to: Student-initiated research, Student collaboration and engagement, Project-based learning, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Seminar methods to include the incorporation of writing, Connections to world-class skills, characteristics, and context, and Creativity and innovation.2. Honors Level Course Application Evidence must include:A. Rationale for instructional materials and methodsCourse must include: An explanation of instructional materials and instructional methods and how theyrelate to the pacing of the course and the sequence of units. Research and/or evidence-based instructional strategies and how they relate toadvanced learners. Student data used to determine approaches to learning, interests, skills, andknowledge to justify the instructional materials and methods used. Instructionalstrategies that align to the appropriate level of the Standards and Objectives section. Vertical alignment to post-secondary and/or industry recognized standards/credential.South Carolina Honors Framework Implementation GuideApril 3, 2017Page 14

B. Instructional materials and methodsMust include: Alignment to real world/industry based standards. Online supplementary curriculum, Applications, and Pairing with a local business for work-based learning, opportunities for real worldexperiences using industry equipment and technology. The instructional materials needed to differentiate instruction for the advancedlearner. The instructional strategies that will be implemented to ensure differentiation, greaterdepth, and complexity for the advanced learner.C. Sample units, lesson(s), and assignments indicating connections to real-world skills,context, and use of higher level critical thinking skills and creativity for advancedlearners)Course must include: Unit plans, lesson plans and sample activities/assignments relating to careerreadiness, post- secondary preparedness (college), and community involvement asaligned to the honors level blueprint supplied in the Standards and Objectives section.Assignments must emphasize student centered learning and independent studythrough real world implementation utilizing world-class skills. Industry standards willbe emphasized in all unit and lesson plans including certification requirements whereapplicable. Examples may include: Career and Technology Student Organization (CTSO) community serviceprojects, Alignment of lesson objectives to industry/certification standards, Alignment of lesson objectives to post-secondary course objectives, Pairing students with local businesses to problem solve-solve and complete aportfolio documenting all parts of the process, and Internships or apprenticeships.D. Student work samplesMust include: Evidence that the student mastered the content beyond the CP level through theutilization of instructional materials and strategies for the advanced learner.Examples may include but are not limited to: Student Applications (videos, websites, projects, etc.), and Documented student work in real-world settings documentation.South Carolina Honors Framework Implementation GuideApril 3, 2017Page 15

III. Assessment1. How is the honors level course assessed?There is evidence that valid assessments are used throughout the course and are aligned to thehonors level curriculum. Pre-assessments along with formative and summative assessmentswill be used to modify and enhance learning. Assessment practices align with the honors level curriculum and instructional bestpractices to include pre-assessment, formative, and summative-assessment. Assessments have depth in rigor, complexity, challenges, and creativity beyond the CPlevel course. Self-assessments and peer-assessments are on-going and are used to improve the overalllearning experience.2. Honors Level Course

Definition of Honors Level Courses; South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) Policies related to honors level coursework; . One half of a quality point (.5) is added to the College Preparatory (CP) weighting for honors courses that meet the three criteria listed above. These criteria apply to all honors courses, including those offered .